Headlight control device, headlight control method, and headlight system

Abstract

To further improve front visibility in a host vehicle while reducing glare to a forward vehicle.　A control device for a headlight includes a controller configured to control the headlight to emit a low beam, a first additional beam, a second additional beam, and a selective high beam, and to control the headlight to dim the first additional beam when a dimming range is set. The first additional beam has a first portion having an upper end at substantially the same height as a horizontal line on a first side which is one of left and right of a vertical line, and a second portion having an upper end below the horizontal line on a second side which is the other of the right and left of the vertical line. The second additional beam has a third portion having an upper end at substantially the same height as the horizontal line on the second side, and a fourth portion having an upper end below the horizontal line on the first side.

Description

Headlight control device, headlight control method, and headlight system

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a headlamp control device, a headlamp control method, and a headlamp system.

[0002] International Publication No. 2022 / 131044 (Patent Document 1) describes a vehicle lighting system that includes a low beam unit that is capable of forming a low beam light distribution pattern having a cutoff line and that is capable of independently adjusting the illuminance of multiple partial areas that are arranged below and along the cutoff line in the low beam light distribution pattern, and a light distribution control device that controls the low beam unit to form a first illuminance reduction section in a partial area among the multiple partial areas whose position in the vehicle width direction overlaps the position of a vehicle ahead in the vehicle width direction.

[0003] International Publication No. 2022 / 131044

[0004] One of the objectives of a specific aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a technology that can further improve forward visibility in a vehicle while reducing glare to a vehicle ahead.

[0005] [1] A headlamp control device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a device for controlling the operation of a headlamp capable of emitting a low beam, an additional beam, and a selective high beam, the device including: a controller connected to the headlamp; and a forward monitoring sensor connected to the controller and configured to detect a forward vehicle present in front of the host vehicle, wherein the additional beam includes: a first additional beam having a first portion having an upper end at a first side, which is either the left or right side of a vertical line based on the host vehicle, at approximately the same height as a horizontal line based on the host vehicle, and a second portion having an upper end below the horizontal line on a second side, which is the other of the left or right side of the vertical line; and a second additional beam having a third portion having an upper end at a second side, which is either the left or right side of the vertical line, at approximately the same height as a horizontal line based on the host vehicle, and a fourth portion having an upper end below the horizontal line on the first side, wherein the controller controls the headlamp to emit the low beam and the additional beam. A headlamp control device configured to: control the headlamp to emit the selective high beam including a dimming range according to the position of the forward vehicle detected by the forward monitoring sensor; and, when the dimming range is set, control the headlamp to dim the first additional beam of the additional beams.[2] A headlamp control method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a method executed by a controller connected to the headlamp to control the operation of a headlamp capable of emitting a low beam, an additional beam, and a selective high beam, wherein the additional beam includes: a first additional beam having a first portion having an upper end at a first side, which is either the left or right side of a vertical line based on the vehicle, at approximately the same height as a horizontal line based on the vehicle, and a second portion having an upper end below the horizontal line, on a second side, which is the other of the left or right side of the vertical line; and a second additional beam having a third portion having an upper end at a second side, which is either the left or right side of the vertical line, at approximately the same height as a horizontal line based on the vehicle, and a fourth portion having an upper end below the horizontal line on the first side, wherein the controller: controls the headlamp to emit the low beam and the additional beam; and controls the headlamp to emit the selective high beam including a dimming range according to the position of a forward vehicle detected by a forward monitoring sensor. When the dimming range is set, controlling the headlamp so as to dim the first additional beam of the additional beams.[3] A headlamp system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: a headlamp capable of emitting a low beam, an additional beam, and a selective high beam; a controller connected to the headlamp; and a forward monitoring sensor connected to the controller and configured to detect a vehicle ahead of the vehicle, wherein the additional beam includes: a first additional beam having a first portion having an upper end at a height approximately equal to a horizontal line based on the vehicle on a first side that is either the left or right side of a vertical line based on the vehicle, and a second portion having an upper end below the horizontal line on a second side that is the other of the left or right side of the vertical line; and a second additional beam having a third portion having an upper end at a height approximately equal to a horizontal line based on the vehicle on the second side, and a fourth portion having an upper end below the horizontal line on the first side, wherein the controller controls the headlamp to emit the low beam and the additional beam. The headlamp system is configured to: control the headlamp to emit the selective high beam including a dimming range according to the position of the forward vehicle detected by the forward monitoring sensor; and, when the dimming range is set, control the headlamp to dim the first additional beam of the additional beams.

[0006] In this specification, the concept of "dimming" includes reducing the brightness of the irradiated light to 0, that is, turning off the light.

[0007] According to the above configuration, it is possible to further improve forward visibility in the host vehicle while reducing glare to the vehicle ahead.

[0008] FIG. 1(A) is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a headlamp system according to an embodiment. FIG. 1(B) is a diagram illustrating an example of a computer system. FIG. 2 is a schematic front view illustrating an example of a headlamp configuration. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the positional relationship between a vehicle and an oncoming vehicle. FIG. 4(A) is a diagram illustrating specific examples of the illumination ranges of the low beam, high beam, and additional beam. FIG. 4(B) is a diagram illustrating specific examples of the illumination ranges of the low beam and high beam. FIGS. 5(A), 5(B), and 5(C) are diagrams illustrating specific examples of the illumination range of the additional beam. FIGS. 6(A) to 6(D) are diagrams illustrating illumination patterns of the low beam, high beam, and additional beam. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the operation procedure of the headlamp system. FIGS. 8(A) and 8(B) are diagrams illustrating positions showing cross-sectional luminous intensity in the illumination pattern. FIG. 9(A) is a diagram illustrating the cross-sectional luminous intensity at position 2R in a comparative example, and FIG. 9(B) is a diagram illustrating the cross-sectional luminous intensity at position 2R in an example. FIG. 10A is a diagram showing the cross-sectional luminous intensity at the position 2L in the comparative example, and FIG. 10B is a diagram showing the cross-sectional luminous intensity at the position 2R in the example.

[0009] 1A is a diagram showing the configuration of a headlamp system according to one embodiment. The illustrated headlamp system includes a controller (control device) 10, a forward monitoring sensor 11, and a pair of headlamp 13L, 13R. This headlamp system is installed on a vehicle and is used to illuminate the area ahead of the vehicle. In this embodiment, the controller 10 and the forward monitoring sensor 11 are assumed to be installed on the vehicle side, but one or both of the controller 10 and the forward monitoring sensor 11 may be installed inside the housing of the headlamp 13L and / or the headlamp 13R.

[0010] The controller 10 is connected to the forward monitoring sensor 11 and each of the headlights 13L, 13R, and controls various operations of the headlight system. The controller 10 is also configured to detect the operating state of a lamp switch 12 provided in the vehicle. For example, the controller 10 detects the operating state of the lamp switch 12 provided in the driver's seat of the vehicle, and transmits a control signal corresponding to the detected operating state to each of the headlights 13L, 13R.

[0011] The forward monitoring sensor 11 is connected to the controller 10 and detects the position, size, type, etc. of an object present in front of the vehicle. Examples of objects to be detected and their types include vehicles ahead (leading vehicles, oncoming vehicles), pedestrians, bicycles, road signs, obstacles, etc. As an example, the forward monitoring sensor 11 can be configured using a camera that captures an image of the space ahead of the vehicle and an information processing device such as an image processor that determines the position, etc. of an object by performing image processing using the image captured by the camera.

[0012] The type of vehicle ahead, i.e., whether it is a leading vehicle or an oncoming vehicle, can be identified based on the color of its lamp. For example, if a pair of white or similar light spots is detected, it is an oncoming vehicle, and if a pair of red or similar light spots is detected, it is a leading vehicle.

[0013] The forward monitoring sensor 11 may be, for example, an optical ranging sensor such as LiDAR, or a radar or ultrasonic sensor, or these may be used in combination with the image processing described above.

[0014] The headlights 13L, 13R are capable of emitting a low beam, an additional beam, and a selective high beam to the space ahead of the vehicle, and include a low beam unit 30, an ADB unit 31, and an additional beam unit 32. As shown in the schematic front view of FIG. 2 , each headlight 13L, 13R has, for example, an integrated low beam unit 30 and an ADB unit 31, and a separate additional beam unit 32, which are arranged adjacent to each other in the vehicle width direction. Note that each unit may be configured as a separate unit, or all units may be configured as an integrated unit. In other words, there are no particular limitations on the configuration of each unit.

[0015] Each low beam unit 30 is configured to emit a low beam (low-beam) into the space ahead of the vehicle based on a control signal supplied from the control signal generating unit 21 of the controller 10. The low beam unit 30 of the headlight 13L is installed on the front left side of the vehicle, and the low beam unit 30 of the headlight 13R is installed on the front right side of the vehicle. The low beam is formed by combining the light emitted from each low beam unit 30 toward the front of the vehicle.

[0016] Each ADB unit 31 is configured to emit a high beam into the space ahead of the vehicle based on a control signal supplied from the control signal generating unit 21 of the controller 10. The ADB unit 31 of the headlight 13L is installed on the front left side of the vehicle, and the ADB unit 31 of the headlight 13R is installed on the front right side of the vehicle. The high beam is formed when the light emitted by each ADB unit 31 overlaps in front of the vehicle. Furthermore, each ADB unit 31 is an adjustable light distribution unit, and when an object such as a preceding vehicle is present, a dimming range is set within the high beam illumination range according to the position of the object, thereby forming a selective high beam (adaptive driving beam).

[0017] Each ADB unit 31 may be, for example, an ADB unit configured to include a plurality of semiconductor light-emitting elements arranged in two directions and a lens that collects the light emitted from these light-emitting elements. Also, various types of known ADB units may be used, such as an ADB unit that uses a liquid crystal element to control the dimming range and light irradiation range, an ADB unit that uses an optical deflector to scan the light emitted from a laser element and controls the dimming range and light irradiation range by turning the laser element on and off at high speed, or an ADB unit that uses multiple shielding plates selectively to block part of the light emitted from the light source to control the dimming range and light irradiation range.

[0018] Each additional beam unit 32 is configured to be able to irradiate a partial area included in the low beam irradiation area with an additional beam based on a control signal supplied from the control signal generating unit 21 of the controller 10. Specific examples of partial areas irradiated with an additional beam will be described later.

[0019] The functions of the controller 10 will be described using functional blocks to make it easier to understand. As shown in Fig. 1, the controller 10 includes a light distribution pattern setting unit (light distribution pattern setting function) 20 and a control signal generating unit (control signal generating function) 21.

[0020] The light distribution pattern setting unit 20 sets the light reduction range (or light blocking range) and the light irradiation range in the ADB function of each ADB unit 31, depending on the position of a forward vehicle (a preceding vehicle or an oncoming vehicle) detected by the forward monitoring sensor 11. In addition, the light distribution pattern setting unit 20 variably controls the brightness of the additional beams from each additional beam unit 32.

[0021] The control signal generating unit 21 generates a control signal for causing each ADB unit 31 to form irradiation light according to the light distribution pattern set by the light distribution pattern setting unit 20, and supplies the control signal to each ADB unit 31. The control signal generating unit 21 also generates a control signal for causing each additional beam unit 32 to form an additional beam according to the brightness set by the light distribution pattern setting unit 20, and supplies the control signal to each additional beam unit 32. The control signal generating unit 21 also generates a control signal for causing each low beam unit 30 to irradiate a low beam according to the operating state of the lamp switch 12 of the host vehicle, and supplies the control signal to each low beam unit 30.

[0022] In addition, if the vehicle is equipped with a function to automatically turn on and off the headlights 13L, 13R depending on the illuminance of the surrounding environment, the function may start lighting up each low beam unit 30, etc.

[0023] 1B is a diagram illustrating an example of a computer system. The illustrated computer system can be configured using a computer system including a processor (CPU: Central Processing Unit) 201, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 202, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 203, a storage device 204 such as a flash memory, an input / output interface 205, and the like. In this computer system, a program 206 stored in advance in the storage device 204 is read and executed by the processor, thereby enabling the computer system to perform various functions. The above-described controller 10 can be realized, for example, using such a computer system.

[0024] FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of the positional relationship between a vehicle and an oncoming vehicle. As illustrated, in this embodiment, it is assumed that traffic regulations stipulate that an oncoming vehicle 110 travels on the left side of the vehicle 100. That is, in this embodiment, the right side corresponds to the "first side" and the left side corresponds to the "second side." In addition, in a case where traffic regulations stipulate that an oncoming vehicle travels on the right side of the vehicle 100, it is sufficient to use low beam 50, high beam 51, and additional beams 52a and 52b with shapes that are inverted from those shown in FIG. 4, etc. In this case, the left side corresponds to the "first side" and the right side corresponds to the "second side."

[0025] Fig. 4(A) is a diagram showing a specific example of the illumination ranges of the low beam, high beam, and additional beam. Fig. 4(B) is a diagram showing a specific example of the illumination ranges of the low beam and high beam. Here, the front view shapes of each beam on a virtual vertical screen assumed at a predetermined position (e.g., 25 m ahead) in front of the vehicle are shown. In Fig. 3, the horizontal line H and the vertical line V are based on the installation positions of the headlights 13L and 13R on the vehicle, respectively.

[0026] The low beam 50 is irradiated light that is formed with a relatively wide width below the cutoff line CL. In this embodiment, the cutoff line CL corresponds to the upper end of the low beam 50, i.e., the boundary line where the illuminance of the low beam 50 on a virtual vertical screen becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value. The cutoff line CL includes a first portion located to the right of the vertical line V in the drawing and extending in a substantially horizontal direction so as to substantially overlap with the horizontal line H, a second portion located to the left of the vertical line V in the drawing and extending in a substantially horizontal direction below the first portion, and a third portion connecting the ends of the first and second portions and extending obliquely so as to overlap with the vertical line V.

[0027] The high beam 51 is a beam of light that is formed mainly above the horizon H and has a narrower width than the low beam 50. In this embodiment, the high beam 51 includes a portion above the horizon H and a portion below the horizon H. The portion of the high beam 51 below the horizon H partially overlaps with the low beam 50 and the additional beams 52a and 52b. The illumination range of the high beam 51 is partially dimmed depending on the position of the vehicle ahead (see dimming range 53 in FIG. 6C described below).

[0028] The additional beams 52a, 52b are irradiated light beams formed over a range that is shorter than the low beam 50 in both width (horizontal length) and height (vertical length). In this embodiment, the upper ends of the additional beams 52a, 52b are approximately aligned with the horizontal line H, the lower ends are located higher in the drawing than the lower end of the low beam 50, and the width is narrower than that of the low beam 50. The additional beams 52a, 52b also have symmetrical shapes with respect to the vertical line V. The height of each of the additional beams 52a, 52b is preferably set to, for example, one-third or less of the height of the low beam 50. This allows the range of the additional beams 52a, 52b to be reduced even when the additional beams 52a, 52b are dimmed, thereby minimizing deterioration of forward visibility.

[0029] In this embodiment, the low beam 50 is supplemented by the additional beam 52a on the right side, resulting in illumination light with an illuminance distribution equivalent to that of a typical low beam. Furthermore, by dimming (or turning off) the additional beam 52a, a partial range of the low beam (the range illuminated by the additional beam 52a) is dimmed. Meanwhile, the additional beam 52b on the left side is illuminated when the high beam 51 is illuminated, as described below.

[0030] FIG. 5A is a diagram showing a specific example of the irradiation range of the additional beam 52a. The additional beam (first additional beam) 52a has a first portion 55a located to the right of the vertical line V in the figure, and a second portion 55b connected to the first portion 55a and located across the vertical line V from right to left in the figure. The upper end of the first portion 55a approximately coincides with the first portion of the cutoff line CL. The upper end of the second portion 55b approximately coincides with the second portion of the cutoff line CL. Comparing the first portion 55a and the second portion 55b, the upper end of the first portion 55a is located relatively higher than the upper end of the second portion 55b. The lower ends of the first portion 55a and the second portion 55b approximately coincide with each other. The gap between the second portion 55b and the horizontal line H can be, for example, approximately 0.2° to 1.0° in vertical angle determined based on the position of each headlight 13L, 13R, and preferably approximately 0.5° to 1.0°.

[0031] FIG. 5B shows a specific example of the irradiation range of the additional beam 52b. The additional beam (second additional beam) 52b has a third portion 56a located to the left of the vertical line V in the figure, and a fourth portion 56b connected to the third portion 56a and located across the vertical line V from left to right in the figure. The upper end of the third portion 56a is located above the second portion of the cutoff line CL and approximately coincides with the horizontal line H. The upper end of the fourth portion 56b is located below the first portion of the cutoff line CL and also below the horizontal line H. The gap between the fourth portion 56b and the horizontal line H can be, for example, approximately 0.2° to 1.0° in vertical angle determined based on the positions of the headlights 13L and 13R, and preferably 0.5° to 1.0°.

[0032] 5C is a diagram showing the additional beams 52a and 52b overlapping each other. The combined range of the additional beams 52a and 52b includes a range 60a where only the additional beam 52a can be irradiated, a range 60b where only the additional beam 52b can be irradiated, and a range 60c where both the additional beams 52a and 52b can be irradiated in an overlapping manner. The range 60a is the range of the first portion 55a of the additional beam 52a where the additional beam 52b does not overlap. The range 60b is the range of the third portion 56a of the additional beam 52b where the additional beam 52a does not overlap. The range 60c is the range where the additional beam 52a and the additional beam 52b partially overlap. In the ranges 60a and 60b, whether or not to dim the additional beam can be controlled within a narrow vertical angle range of approximately 0.5° to 1.0°.

[0033] In general, it is technically and cost-effective to increase the angular resolution of light distribution control in a variable light distribution unit, and currently the angular resolution is 3° to 4° or more, making it difficult to obtain an angular resolution of about 0.5° to 1.0°. In contrast, if a fixed light distribution configuration is used that does not assume variable light distribution, for example, the additional beams 52a and 52b shown in this embodiment can be realized, and by irradiating these in combination, it is possible to obtain ranges 60a and 60b in which it is possible to control whether or not to dim the light within a narrow vertical angle range of about 0.5° to 1.0°.

[0034] 6A to 6D are diagrams illustrating the illumination patterns of the low beam, high beam, and additional beam. When the operation state of the lamp switch 12 indicates illumination of only the low beam, as shown in FIG. 6A, the low beam 50 is illuminated and an additional beam 52a corresponding to a partial range of the low beam 50 is illuminated.

[0035] When the lamp switch 12 is operated to illuminate both the low beam and the high beam, the low beam 50, the high beam 51, and the additional beams 52a and 52b are illuminated as shown in Fig. 6(B). When the lamp switch 12 is operated to illuminate both the low beam and the selective high beam and there is no vehicle ahead, the dimming range is not set within the illumination range of the high beam 51, resulting in the illumination state shown in Fig. 6(B).

[0036] Furthermore, when the lamp switch 12 is operated to indicate low beam and selective high beam illumination and a vehicle ahead is present, the low beam 50, high beam 51, and additional beams 52a and 52b are illuminated, as shown in FIG. 6C. At this time, as shown in the figure, a dimming range 53 is set within the illumination range of the high beam 51 according to the position of the vehicle ahead. Furthermore, when the dimming range 53 is set, the additional beam 52a is dimmed regardless of the vehicle's position. Note that when there are multiple vehicles ahead, the entire illumination range of the high beam 51 may be set to the dimming range, as shown in FIG. 6D.

[0037] In these cases, the area 60a illuminated by only the additional beam 52a is dimmed, thereby reducing glare to vehicles ahead. The vertical height of this dimmed area 60a can be set to approximately 0.5° to 1.0°, thereby reducing glare while minimizing deterioration of forward visibility. Furthermore, the area 60b illuminated by only the additional beam 52b is not dimmed, allowing supplementary light to be provided between the top end of the low beam 50 and the horizon H. This also minimizes deterioration of forward visibility. Furthermore, in the area 60c illuminated by both the additional beam 52a and the additional beam 52b, the additional beam 52b is not dimmed, thereby minimizing deterioration of brightness in the area 60c. Therefore, deterioration of forward visibility is minimized.

[0038] 7 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the headlamp system. Note that the order of the processes shown here can be changed as long as no contradictions or inconsistencies occur in the results of the information processing, and other processes not explicitly shown here can also be added.

[0039] When the lamp switch 12 is on, i.e., in a state instructing the operation of the headlights 13L, 13R (step S11; YES), and in a state instructing the irradiation of selective high beam (ADB) (step S12; YES), the light distribution pattern setting unit 20 of the controller 10 instructs the control signal generating unit 21 to emit a low beam and an additional beam. In response to this instruction, the control signal generating unit 21 supplies control signals to each low beam unit 30 and each additional beam unit 32, thereby emitting a low beam and an additional beam.

[0040] If the lamp switch 12 is not on (step S11; NO), or if the state is not one in which selective high beam irradiation is instructed (step S12; NO), the process returns to step S11.

[0041] Furthermore, the light distribution pattern setting unit 20 instructs the control signal generating unit 21 to perform selective high beam illumination using a light distribution pattern having a light reduction range according to the position of a forward vehicle (an oncoming vehicle or a leading vehicle) detected by the forward monitoring sensor 11. In response to this instruction, the control signal generating unit 21 supplies a control signal to each ADB unit 31, thereby performing selective high beam illumination (step S13).

[0042] When the light distribution pattern setting unit 20 sets a dimming range corresponding to the forward vehicle (step S14; YES), it instructs the control signal generating unit 21 to dim the additional beam 52a (first additional beam).

[0043] In response to this instruction, the control signal generator 21 supplies a control signal to each additional beam unit 32, thereby dimming the additional beam 52a (step S15). The degree of dimming can be set to, for example, a dimming rate of 20% compared to when the additional beam 52a is not dimmed. When step S15 is completed, the process returns to step S11.

[0044] On the other hand, if the dimming range has not been set (step S14; NO), the light distribution pattern setting unit 20 instructs the control signal generating unit 21 to maintain the current luminous intensity of the additional beam 52a. In response to this instruction, the control signal generating unit 21 supplies a control signal to each additional beam unit 32, thereby maintaining the additional beam 52a in its current state, i.e., in an undimmed state (step S16). When step S16 is completed, the process returns to step S11.

[0045] In step S14, the process may be performed based on the presence or absence of a forward vehicle, instead of the presence or absence of a dimming range. That is, the process of step S14 may be performed so that if a forward vehicle is present, a positive determination is made, and if no forward vehicle is present, a negative determination is made.

[0046] A specific example of the effect obtained by the headlight system of this embodiment will be described below. Here, as shown in Fig. 8(A), the cross-sectional luminous intensity in the vertical direction of the light emitted by combining the additional beams 52a and 52b at a position 2° to the right of the vertical line V on a virtual vertical screen (indicated as 2R in the figure) and a position 2° to the left of the vertical line V (indicated as 2L in the figure) will be considered. The additional beam 52a is assumed to be emitted with a dimming rate of 20%.

[0047] 8B, the cross-sectional luminous intensity in the vertical direction of the irradiated light at a position 2° to the right of the vertical line V (indicated as 2R in the figure) and a position 2° to the left of the vertical line V (indicated as 2L in the figure) on the virtual vertical screen will be examined. The additional beam 152a is assumed to be irradiated with a dimming rate of 20%. The additional beam 152a of the comparative example is positioned to the right of the vertical line V in the figure, and its vertical height is set to the same as that of the additional beam 52a of this embodiment.

[0048] 9A is a diagram showing the cross-sectional luminous intensity at the position 2R in the comparative example, and FIG. 9B is a diagram showing the cross-sectional luminous intensity at the position 2R in the example. As shown in FIG. 9A, in the comparative example, the luminous intensity is reduced overall in the luminous intensity cross section a2 after dimming compared to the luminous intensity cross section a1 before dimming the additional beam 152a, which leads to a decrease in forward visibility.

[0049] In contrast to this, as shown in Figure 9 (B), in this embodiment, when comparing the luminous intensity cross section b1 before dimming the additional beam 52a with the luminous intensity cross section b2 after dimming, the decrease in luminous intensity is suppressed below 1° in the vertical direction (the UD angle range in the figure is 1° to 5°), while the luminous intensity decreases above 0.5° in the vertical direction (the range to the right of the position indicated as 0.5D in the figure).

[0050] In other words, in the embodiment, the luminous intensity in the low beam illumination range, i.e., the range relatively close to the vehicle, is maintained with almost no decrease, thereby preventing a decrease in forward visibility, while the luminous intensity above 0.5° is suppressed, thereby reducing glare to vehicles ahead.

[0051] 10A is a diagram showing the cross-sectional luminous intensity at the position 2L in the comparative example, and FIG. 10B is a diagram showing the cross-sectional luminous intensity at the position 2L in the example. As shown in FIG. 10A, in the comparative example, the luminous intensity is reduced overall in the luminous intensity cross section a4 after dimming compared to the luminous intensity cross section a3 before dimming the additional beam 152a, which leads to a decrease in forward visibility.

[0052] In contrast, as shown in Figure 10 (B), in the embodiment, when comparing the luminous intensity cross section b3 before dimming the additional beam 52a with the luminous intensity cross section b4 after dimming, the decrease in luminous intensity is suppressed below 1° in the vertical direction (the UD angle range in the figure is 1° to 5°), while the luminous intensity decreases above 0.5° in the vertical direction (the range to the right of the position indicated as 0.5D in the figure).

[0053] In other words, in the embodiment, the luminous intensity in the low beam illumination range, i.e., the range relatively close to the vehicle, is maintained with almost no decrease, preventing a decrease in forward visibility, while the luminous intensity above 0.5° is suppressed, thereby reducing glare to vehicles ahead. Also, in the comparative example, the luminous intensity is low to the left of the vertical line V in the figure, particularly in the gap between the top end of the low beam 50 and the horizontal line H when the high beam 51 is not illuminated (the portion directly below the horizontal line H; the range above 0.5° in the figure), whereas in the embodiment, the additional beam 52b supplements the light in this gap, thereby further improving forward visibility.

[0054] According to the above-described embodiment, it is possible to further improve forward visibility in the host vehicle while reducing glare to the vehicle ahead.

[0055] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present disclosure. For example, the above-described embodiment is based on the premise that an oncoming vehicle is traveling on the left side of the host vehicle (see FIG. 3 ). However, the relative relationship between the host vehicle and the oncoming vehicle may be reversed. That is, the technical concept of the present disclosure can also be applied to a case where an oncoming vehicle is traveling on the right side of the host vehicle. In this case, it is sufficient to use low beams, high beams, and additional beams with shapes that are inverted from those shown in FIG. 4 , etc., as described above.

[0056] The present disclosure has the following configurations: (Supplementary Note 1) A device for controlling the operation of a headlamp capable of emitting a low beam, an additional beam, and a selective high beam, comprising: a controller connected to the headlamp; and a forward monitoring sensor connected to the controller and configured to detect a forward vehicle present in front of a host vehicle, wherein the additional beam comprises: a first additional beam having a first portion having an upper end at a first side, which is either the left or right side of a vertical line based on the host vehicle, at approximately the same height as a horizontal line based on the host vehicle, and a second portion having an upper end below the horizontal line on a second side, which is the other of the left or right side of the vertical line; and a second additional beam having a third portion having an upper end at a second side, which is either the left or right side of the vertical line, at approximately the same height as a horizontal line based on the host vehicle, and a fourth portion having an upper end below the horizontal line on the first side, wherein the controller controls the headlamp to emit the low beam and the additional beam. A headlamp control device configured to perform the following: control the headlamp to emit the selective high beam including a dimming range according to the position of the forward vehicle detected by the forward monitoring sensor, and when the dimming range is set, control the headlamp to dim the first additional beam of the additional beams. (Supplementary Note 2) The headlamp control device according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the first additional beam and the second additional beam have bilaterally symmetrical shapes. (Supplementary Note 3) The headlamp control device according to Supplementary Note 1 or 2, wherein the lower ends of the first additional beam and the second additional beam are at the same height. (Supplementary Note 4) The headlamp control device according to any of Supplements 1 to 3, wherein the first portion of the first additional beam has a range where the fourth portion of the second additional beam overlaps and a range where the second additional beam does not overlap, and the third portion of the second additional beam has a range where the second portion of the first additional beam overlaps and a range where the first additional beam does not overlap.(Supplementary Note 5) The headlamp control device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 4, wherein a vertical angle range of the first portion of the first additional beam where the second additional beam does not overlap and / or a vertical angle range of the third portion of the second additional beam where the first additional beam does not overlap is 0.2° to 1.0°. (Supplementary Note 6) The headlamp control device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 5, wherein the upper end of the low beam includes: a first portion located on the second side of the plumb line and extending in a substantially horizontal direction so as to substantially overlap with the horizontal line, a second portion located on the first side of the plumb line and extending in a substantially horizontal direction relatively lower than the first portion, and a third portion connecting each end of the first portion and the second portion and obliquely intersecting the plumb line so as to overlap with the plumb line. (Supplementary Note 7) The headlamp control device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 6, wherein the headlamp includes a first unit that irradiates the low beam, a second unit that irradiates the selective high beam, and a third unit that irradiates the additional beam. (Supplementary Note 8) A method executed by a controller connected to a headlamp to control the operation of a headlamp capable of emitting a low beam, an additional beam, and a selective high beam, wherein the additional beam includes: a first additional beam having a first portion having an upper end at a first side, which is either the left or right side of a vertical line based on the host vehicle, at approximately the same height as a horizontal line based on the host vehicle, and a second portion having an upper end below the horizontal line, on a second side, which is the other of the left or right side of the vertical line; and a second additional beam having a third portion having an upper end at a second side, which is either the left or right side of the vertical line, at approximately the same height as a horizontal line based on the host vehicle, and a fourth portion having an upper end below the horizontal line on the first side, wherein the controller: controls the headlamp to emit the low beam and the additional beam; controls the headlamp to emit the selective high beam including a dimming range according to the position of a forward vehicle detected by a forward monitoring sensor; When the dimming range is set, controlling the headlamp so as to dim the first additional beam of the additional beams.(Supplementary Note 9) A vehicle includes a headlamp capable of emitting a low beam, an additional beam, and a selective high beam; a controller connected to the headlamp; and a forward monitoring sensor connected to the controller and configured to detect a forward vehicle present in front of the vehicle, wherein the additional beam includes: a first additional beam having a first portion having an upper end at approximately the same height as a horizontal line referenced to the vehicle on a first side that is either the left or right side of a vertical line referenced to the vehicle, and a second portion having an upper end below the horizontal line on a second side that is the other of the left or right side of the vertical line; and a second additional beam having a third portion having an upper end at approximately the same height as a horizontal line referenced to the vehicle on the second side, and a fourth portion having an upper end below the horizontal line on the first side, wherein the controller: controls the headlamp to emit the low beam and the additional beam; and controls the headlamp to emit the selective high beam including a dimming range according to the position of the forward vehicle detected by the forward monitoring sensor. When the dimming range is set, control the headlamp to dim the first additional beam of the additional beams.

[0057] 10: Controller, 11: Forward monitoring sensor, 12: Steering angle sensor, 13L, 13R: Headlight, 14: Lamp switch, 20: Light distribution pattern setting unit, 21: Control signal generation unit, 30: Low beam unit, 31: ADB unit, 32: Additional beam unit, 50: Low beam, 51: High beam, 52a, 52b: Additional beam, 53: Dimming range, 100: Host vehicle, 110: Oncoming vehicle

Claims

1. A device for controlling the operation of a headlamp capable of emitting a low beam, an additional beam, and a selective high beam, comprising: a controller connected to the headlamp; and a forward monitoring sensor connected to the controller and configured to detect a forward vehicle present in front of the host vehicle, wherein the additional beam comprises: a first additional beam having a first portion having an upper end at approximately the same height as a horizontal line referenced to the host vehicle on a first side that is either the left or right side of a vertical line referenced to the host vehicle, and a second portion having an upper end below the horizontal line on a second side that is the other of the left or right side of the vertical line; and a second additional beam having a third portion having an upper end at approximately the same height as a horizontal line referenced to the host vehicle on the second side, and a fourth portion having an upper end below the horizontal line on the first side, wherein the controller: controls the headlamp to emit the low beam and the additional beam; and controls the headlamp to emit the selective high beam including a dimming range according to the position of the forward vehicle detected by the forward monitoring sensor. When the dimming range is set, control the headlamp so as to dim the first additional beam of the additional beams.

2. The headlamp control device according to claim 1, wherein the first additional beam and the second additional beam have bilaterally symmetrical shapes.

3. The headlamp control device according to claim 1, wherein the lower ends of the first additional beam and the second additional beam are at the same height.

4. A headlamp control device as described in claim 1, wherein the first portion of the first additional beam has a range where it overlaps with the fourth portion of the second additional beam and a range where the second additional beam does not overlap, and the third portion of the second additional beam has a range where it overlaps with the second portion of the first additional beam and a range where the first additional beam does not overlap.

5. A headlamp control device as described in claim 1, wherein the vertical angle range of the first portion of the first additional beam that does not overlap with the second additional beam and / or the vertical angle range of the third portion of the second additional beam that does not overlap with the first additional beam is 0.2° to 1.0°.

6. A headlamp control device as described in claim 1, wherein the upper end of the low beam includes a first portion located on the second side of the vertical line and extending in a substantially horizontal direction so as to overlap the horizontal line, a second portion located on the first side of the vertical line and extending in a substantially horizontal direction relatively lower than the first portion, and a third portion connecting each end of the first portion and the second portion and intersecting the vertical line obliquely so as to overlap the vertical line.

7. The headlamp control device according to claim 1, wherein the headlamp includes a first unit for irradiating the low beam, a second unit for irradiating the selective high beam, and a third unit for irradiating the additional beam.

8. A method executed by a controller connected to a headlamp for controlling the operation of a headlamp capable of emitting a low beam, an additional beam, and a selective high beam, wherein the additional beam includes: a first additional beam having a first portion having an upper end at a first side, which is either the left or right side of a vertical line based on the vehicle, at approximately the same height as a horizontal line based on the vehicle, and a second portion having an upper end below the horizontal line on a second side, which is the other of the left or right side of the vertical line; and a second additional beam having a third portion having an upper end at a second side, which is either the left or right side of the vertical line, at approximately the same height as a horizontal line based on the vehicle, and a fourth portion having an upper end below the horizontal line on the first side, wherein the controller: controls the headlamp to emit the low beam and the additional beam; and controls the headlamp to emit the selective high beam including a dimming range according to the position of a forward vehicle detected by a forward monitoring sensor. When the dimming range is set, controlling the headlamp so as to dim the first additional beam of the additional beams.

9. A headlamp capable of emitting a low beam, an additional beam, and a selective high beam; a controller connected to the headlamp; and a forward monitoring sensor connected to the controller and configured to detect a vehicle ahead of the vehicle, wherein the additional beam comprises: a first additional beam having a first portion having an upper end at approximately the same height as a horizontal line based on the vehicle on a first side that is either the left or right side of a vertical line based on the vehicle, and a second portion having an upper end below the horizontal line on a second side that is the other of the left or right side of the vertical line; and a second additional beam having a third portion having an upper end at approximately the same height as a horizontal line based on the vehicle on the second side, and a fourth portion having an upper end below the horizontal line on the first side, wherein the controller controls the headlamp to emit the low beam and the additional beam; and controls the headlamp to emit the selective high beam including a dimming range according to the position of the vehicle ahead detected by the forward monitoring sensor. When the dimming range is set, control the headlamp to dim the first additional beam of the additional beams.

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